FastTrac - Fact Sheet
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FastTrac is a practical, hands-on business development program designed to help entrepreneurs grow a successful business.
FastTrac programs offer a series of educational experiences, products, and services to help you throughout your entrepreneurial journey.
Search the FastTrac database to locate a FastTrac class in your area.
Step by step instructions on how to let FastTrac resources help you pursue your entrepreneurial dreams.
FastTrac is seeking strong relationships to provide entrepreneurship education to enhance and grow business ventures.
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FastTrac® Fact Sheet
What is FastTrac®?

F astTrac® is a comprehensive entrepreneurship-educational program that provides entrepreneurs with business insights, leadership skills and professional networking connections so they are prepared to create a new business or expand an existing enterprise. The FastTrac program includes practical, hands-on business development programs and workshops for existing entrepreneurs, aspiring entrepreneurs, as well as entrepreneurship curriculum for college students. For more information on the nine various FastTrac programs, go to "What are the FastTrac Programs?"

FastTrac is designed to help entrepreneurs hone the skills needed to create, manage and/or grow successful businesses. Participants don't just learn about business, they live it! They work on their own business ideas or ventures throughout the program - moving their venture to reality or new levels of growth.

FastTrac programs are resources for entrepreneurs that have been developed by and with hundreds of successful entrepreneurs who have shared their knowledge, insights, and stories so that others might learn from them. In 1998 FastTrac won the Small Business Administration's Model of Excellence Award for Entrepreneurial Education. Simply put, FastTrac is one of America's leading entrepreneurial training programs and remains on the cutting edge by providing programs that are written by entrepreneurs...taught by entrepreneurs...for entrepreneurs.

FastTrac programs are currently provided by over 300 organizations in 50 states.  FastTrac programs are also being offered outside the U.S. in Australia and Russia.  More than 200,000 aspiring and existing entrepreneurs have been reached through FastTrac programs in the United States since 1993. For more information on FastTrac in your area, go to "Where are FastTrac Programs Offered?"

How was FastTrac started?

FastTrac programs were first launched through the University of Southern California's Entrepreneurship Program in Los Angeles in 1986. In an effort to launch the FastTrac program nationally and continue accelerating entrepreneurship in America, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation became the major funder and supporter of FastTrac in 1993.

Today the various FastTrac programs are offered in both urban and rural settings through organizations and colleges/universities that, like FastTrac, are "helping people pursue their entrepreneurial dreams." FastTrac is a success because of the strong partnerships with local organizations that have a passion for serving the entrepreneurs in their community. Some of these organizations include:
  • Chambers of Commerce
  • Small Business Development Centers
  • Economic Development Councils
  • Women's Business Centers
  • Minority Business Centers
  • Universities and Colleges
  • Community Colleges
  • Individual consultants
  • And others
For information on becoming a FastTrac provider, go to "How Can I Offer FastTrac?"


  

FastTrac Alumni Profile 

Vince Bilardo Jr.
Bilardo Brothers Food Specialties Inc.



Vince Bilardo Jr. and his family love to cook. After winning a barbeque cook-off, they started Bilardo Brothers Food Specialties Inc., Kansas City, Mo. The family jumped into business with zeal, but without much planning. “We never developed the operating capital to grow our business,” says Vince Bilardo, president and CEO. ...more
 
© 2006 Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation. All rights reserved.
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FastTrac National Headquarters
4747 Troost, Kansas City, MO 64110
Phone: 1-800-689-1740, Fax: 1-816-235-6216
For orders/customer service: 1-877-450-9800
Email: info@fasttrac.org